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UNITED STATES Fries.

PATENT CARRIAGE-TOP STANDARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 278,676, dated June 5, 1883.

Application filed April To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. BEQHTEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Beading, county of Berks, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Children s Carriages, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to facilitate the appli cation and removal of the carriage top and standards without the annoyance of screwing or unscrewing the fastenings ofthe standards.

The accompanying drawings, forming a part ot' this specification, fully discloses the part performed by my improvement, similar letters indicating similar parts.

Figure 1 is a partial elevation of the usual standard for a regular carriage-top, showing its connection with the carriage. Fig. 2 is a plan of my improved button or clip, with a section of the standard at the point of connection with the same. Fig. 3 is a front elevation and top plan ofthe clip-base. Fig. 4 is a front elevation and plan of the turn-button or clip. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the base-piece through the spring, in all of which- A represents a portion of the carriage-body B, the usual fixed standard; B', feet of the standard, secured by screws 5 B2, head of fixed standard, having a pinching-screw, C, to secure the movable portion Din position. E is a turn-button or clip provided with ears E', oii'set to clip the standard B, and an oblong central slot, E2, and pivotal screw E3. F is the base plate, provided with offset ears F', to receive the legs of the standard B, a springear, F2, steady-prongs F3, and central screwhole, F*, a spring, G, being secured to the ear F2.

H H represent pins, attached permanently either to the standard or carriage.

There is scarcely a family wi ,h children to care for which is not provided with a childs carriage, and its use is not confined to the daytime alone. The carriage-tops, particularly those supplied with hanging curtains, whereby the child is completely protected from sun, rain, or wind, are very desirable accessories when requiredfor either of the above purposes 5 but when the Weather is pleasant and the sun under a cloud, or after sunset, the carriage is more freely used than at any other time, and

then it is desirable to have the top of the car- 11, 1SS3. (No model.)

riage out of the way. The usual plan is to hunt up a screw-driver aud remove the screws from the feet B', and then lift the top away and replace the screws, or else unscrew the pinching-screw C and remove the upper portion of the standard D with the top, leaving the lower standard, B, in place-an unsightly and dangerous projection from the carriagebody. The annoyance and objections con-V nected with the above manipulation ofthe top are so great that the pleasure of taking the children out\on such'occa'sions is foregone, to the detriment of their health and that of their care-takers. Vith my improvement in use this need not occur, scarcely any time being required to make a change from a topped to a non-topped carriage, or vice versa, the mere turning of the clip-button E releasing or securing the standard, according to the direction in which it is turned.

The construction is simple, and the parts,A

may be of cast-iron or brass, and for the iiner styles of carriages may be nickel plated. The base-piece F is provided with prongs F3, integral with the same, which are driven or pressed into the side of the carriage-body, and serve to retain it in position independent ot' the screw. The ear F2 sets backof the face the thickness of the spring G, and the face is recessed to permit the spring being compressed sufficiently to allow the end or ear E to pass over the incline G. The turn-button E is also of metal and finished up in the same manner as the base.

The application and operationfoi the improvement is as follows: The base F is placed as close to thetop edge of the carriage-side as the standard will allow, and 'the prongs F forced into the wood to retain it in place. The turn-button is then placed coincident with the base-piece and the screw driven home. The screws H are then removed from the feet B and their places supplied by a wire pin of the same size driven intothe wood; or short pins may be riveted in the feet and bushes provided in the carriage-body for the same. This being done on both sides of the carriage completes the job.

To operate the improvement, the spring G, is pressed into the recess, and turned to the left until it is by its incline G, the turn-button is IOO perpendicular. The slot E2 then permits the button to drop below the arch of the standard, and this being done to both standards the top is lifted bodily away. To reinstate the top, it is' placed in position over the carriage, the feet of the standards sliding upon the pins H H,

the turn-buttons raised until the ends of the` slots E2 are against the screws E3, when they are turned to the right, which carries the ears E over the'inclines G of the springs, and when coincidentwith the base, the spring being released, springs outward, and the button is supported by the incline thereof.

The improvement, with a slight change in the construction of pleasure-carriage-top irons, is applicable thereto, and offers a ready means of changing from a top to a nontop carriage.

Having shown my improvement, its adaptation to the purpose designed, and its ease of application, I desire to secure by Letters Pat ent the following claims thereon 1. Ashifting carriage-top having the follow- `to operate as and ing elements in combination: a standard, B, of the usual construction, a base-pieee, F, with recessed seats for the standard, a spring-ear, F2, spring G G', and turn-button E, held in place by screw E3 and spring G G', all adapted for the purpose set forth.

' 2. A standard-base-piece, F, provided with seats F, spring-ear F2, steadyprongs F3, spring 3o G G, and central hole, F4, in combination with the standard B, pins H H, turn-button E, and carriage A, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

3. A turn-button, E, provided with recessed seat-ears E, an oblong central slot, E2, and screw E3, in combination with base-piece F, spring G G, standard B, and carriage A, substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

' GEORGE M. BECHTEL.

lVitnesses A. K. STAUFFER, XVM. XVIR'r MILLS. 

